27 Dresses? Just About!

14 Jan 2008By Guard Wife

I haven't seen the new movie starring that cutie from Grey's Anatomy, but the concept is easy enough to grasp...always the bridesmaid and never the bride means a closetful of some pretty heinous dresses.

Translated into military spouse-speak, weddings become military balls and my closet becomes the formal wear graveyard.

Now, I know I shouldn't complain. I'm simply a Guard Wife who attends at most three to four formal things each year. I'm not on some grand circuit of formal events in which I have to transform myself into a pageant constestant. I'm not even close to that arena.

What I am, though, is a woman with limited time, limited income and even more limited inclination. And, once again, Hubs gets off wearing the SAME THING he wore last time, save some extra shiny things or ribbons. Sigh.

Our next military ball happens at the top of February. Honestly, I will likely wear something I already own. That's possible because the Carousel of Dresses comes in numerous sizes...I only hope one of them is the size I currently am!

If history repeats itself, I will not try dresses on until the night before the ball and if nothing acceptable is found, I will be hoofing it through department stores and boutiques on the day of the ball. I cram for finals--even in formal wear decisions.

I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore, but as 2008 dawned, I made the decision to try and be more healthy, take more time for myself (to exercise, etc) and to give up all my vices but coffee. I don't smoke or drink--my vices come in the form of Coca-Cola and M & M's. My intake of soda (pop) has ceased and my intake of any form of chocolate is almost non-existent.

Although the formal wear I choose for myself is much less atrocious than some I've been forced to wear in the name of friendship, I am still kind of dreading being all dolled up again.

Of course, the one saving grace? Hubs will wear his dress blues. And that, my friends, is never a bad thing!

In the spirit of the New Year, what (if any) decisions have you made to make 2008 YOUR year to be proud of?